Oh no! The current grill is one of the best things about the IS. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! What Lexus really ought to do is increase the width of the car so there's more horizontal leg room in the front foot wells, replace the stupid track pad with a dial, provide wireless Apple Car Play, install a heads up display, and for the love god, give it a better transmission.
Why do you guys want to have a spaceship for an interior? Not every car needs to have a metric shitload of unnecessary BS with a screen or a bunch of extra buttons you'll never use
@@nothellhaven who says we need a spaceship. The steering wheel in the IS is ancient and bulky. Look at the new Lexus steering wheels in the NX, RX, and TX. They actually look good and up to par with the Germans. A cleaner interior design would be nice as well. Everything just looks so old in the IS. You actually feel like you are sitting in a 10 year old Lexus. The new Lexus interiors in their SUVs are way better. If I'm paying over $65,000 for a IS500, I don't want the interior to feel old the day I buy it. If I keep the car for 7-8 years, I'd be driving around in almost a 20 year old interior. I'm sorry but I'm not paying over $65k for that.
lbx has worst modern interior trends implemented. why bother with user expirience if you can slap on cheap tablet in the middle. horrednous haptic feedback touch buttons on the steering wheel, no, just no.
Hopefully they’re upgrading those things as well. That’s the main issue with the ones out right now. If they update the infotainment center it would fix a lot of people’s complaints
I just hope they redesign the interior and keep the V8 of the IS500. I would be happy with just that! Updating the transmission would also be a nice addition, but probably unlikely.
Great update, thank you so much. The current Lexus IS is sooo beautiful I really really hope they dont mess up the look. I'll wait to judge till I see the new front but its a thin line they're treading.
If there's anything Lexus nailed with the current IS, it's the gorgeous exterior styling. Such a massive improvement over the pre-refresh model. If only it had an interior update that resembled the ones in the ES, LS, and LC.
Replacing the turbo with a hybrid makes sense. Making the same power with drastically better fuel economy would be extremely desirable and new for this class. I just hope they dont discontinue the 2gr WITHOUT having a replacement ready. I could easily see lexus putting in a rwd version of the i force max powertrain for increased is350 power. Im really shocked if they keep the v8.
@@u2oasisI’d been wishing for an IS500h with the 354hp multistage hybrid setup from the LS/LC500h forever. You’ll get better performance and MPG compared to the IS350.
Other markets have a hybrid IS. Just not the V6 hybrid, which is what the GS got. The question is would it fit in the IS, as the V6 hybrid was only in the larger cars.
@@AndreiGonzalesDesign that’s a good question! What I do know, however, is that the A25 is, in my opinion, a very unpleasant sounding engine and shouldn’t really have a place anywhere in the Lexus lineup. So, adding it to the IS would be doing it a huge disservice to how good the car looks.
What I would like to see is the 350HP hybrid that's in the LC500h move into the IS, as its main engine That would make sense, offering class leading power, and economy
A new refresh would be exciting. However I would love to see an all new redesigned IS. Lexus did the same with the LS460 for many years just refresh after refresh. That can cause them to lose market share. I believe that’s why the LS 500 isn’t doing well. Either way I’m excited to see what they come up with just hope they update that interior.
This is a new refresh... A redesign or a new generation is what's needed. Whether TNGA-L or an all new RWD basis. This is getting ridiculous indeed and your point is very well stated, in citing the XF40 III LS.
Well said , I love the older LS460 !! The current IS design is timeless, why mess with it🤦🏾♂️ ?If they go down this path , I am moving over to the Germans !
Why would they need a 4 series competitor when they have the RC they just need to up the power my favorite route would be an rc350 making 350 crank hp and an updated 8 speed that can shift quicker also cars need more torque
@@camverticalco You're not paying attention to the comment... Like the A5 Sportback, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is an alternative 3-Series with 4 horizontally opening doors, unlike the 2-door RC. That's exactly what Lexus should have done with the 2020 GS, if it was such a burden to produce. Akio Toyoda called bluff and canceled the GS out of spite.
Kirk, like you said in other videos, this is an Dinosaur and needs a full make over, not just changing emblems and front bumpers.....I do love my little reptile though, see ya on down the road in my 22' IS500! Thanks again Kirk🚗
@@gurjeetkumar2598He's thinking about it from a business perspective. Toyota is not developing a new naturally aspirated V6 and gradually phasing out the non hybrid GR engines.
Such a shame that the only true performance F offering since the death of the GSF is the IS500 FSP. Everything else was just a dilution of the F badge.
@@naveenthemachineYou’re just commenting unnecessary negativity on every reply? “They can’t compete” the ISF for its time had the first ever 8 spd, one of the fastest-shifting autos in its time, and RCF literally wins gt3 races?
@@ramgtjax Yes, it's called the New N platform, which has been in production since December 2011 (GS) and since April 2013 for the 3rd generation IS. Only the RC coupe shares this platform. Everything else at Lexus is TNGA now, which is why they get an engine family called Dynamic Force, which includes the 2.5 L A25A I4 engine, the 3 cylinder turbo G16E, the new turbocharged 2.4L T24A, and 3.4L V35A. I don't think any of the engines in the IS are dynamic force for that reason, but I have seen a prototype with the V35A 3.4 L turbo engine. It fits for sure.
Maybe when the 2026 model comes out, the prices of preowned 2021-2025 models will go down and I'll be able to trade in my 2018 for a good price. IMO that design is it.
Kirk, after watching this video it made me decide to bite the bullet! You made me do it! I love the current grill design, so damn aggressive, so LEXUS!!! I have always loved the IS250/350/500. Last week, Friday, I drove to Lexus of Tampa Bay. I found a IS350 F-Sport that I loved. Of course, I didn't tell the salesman that. Test drive, arrived at a fair trade-in value and OTD price, it was mine! I am very pleased with the car. I know it's not as fast as an M2, but it's not slow either. I've owned a TRD Camry with that 3.5 V6 and loved its power and reliability as well, but damn my new car looks and drives and handles so incredibly well. Break-in period is a bitch, but worth delaying gratification for long-term reliability and performance gain. I don't want that newly Toyota derived 4-cylinder engine. Thankyou Kirk for sharing and helping me to decide to buy the 2024 model instead of the refreshed version.
Glad I found this video. I heard there was a refresh. I was hoping some changes to the interior. The front end is already nice. I dont like that bar thing. It looks like a Toyota. I may just go ahead and buy a 24 IS500. I bet if they drop the 350 the 500 will see a price increase.
That LBX has a really good powertrain, even though it's only a 1.5 liter inline 3, with 134hp, the engine response is really good. My brother test drove it with 4 adults in the car and 0 to 30mph was pretty good, the response from a standstill was good. Wish they brought that to the USA.
@jeanlucbergman479 I used to think like you. But in the country we are in you just can't even reach 50kph with all the traffic in the city. Most city roads have a speed limit of 80kph max. That car is actually a good size for the city he is in. By the way the 0 to 100kph on that car is 9.2sec.
Ehhh. I personally think the IS would have a better chance competing with the M340i if equipped with the V35 and 10AT. But, it would need improvements in shift times, throttle response, turbo lag, and the AWD system in order to go toe to toe with the B58.
Lexus engines normally have a slight power increase than toyotas even though they're the same motor. The 2025 camry hybrid makes 232 hp. The crown makes 236. A new lexus with the same motor my guess will be anywhere between 240 to 255 hp. And instant torque. Not bad! Some people have driven a hybrid once years ago and think thats how they all feel. The've gotten quicker and feel torquey now.
I was very surprised they don't sell the hybrid here. This could work if they offered the new hybrid with a refreshed interior and exterior like the Camry. Youd get a significant freaking jump in fuel economy... Which I think is currently it's Achilles heel right now. The design looks good. It just feels like the tech is outdated in the current car
Hear me out about the RX. As someone who has been the biggest RX fan since 2004, it took me quite sometime to start liking this redesign. I like it, but I hope when Lexus gives this thing a facelift, They’ll make some changes to the front end (nose). Fix those tough sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, add that new gauge cluster, give it the UX/LC steering wheel, make PALOMINO F-sport seats, bring back CIRCUIT RED Fsport seats. bring back regular fuel across all engines (87 octane), give more colour options across luxury/FSPORT MODELS. and make the f-sport 350H. Those are a few changes I want to see and maybe a few more to enhance that styling and comfort. I'm still the biggest Lexus fan!
Haha, these vehicles and any midlife changes are designed before we even know about them. It's only waiting at this point, so it's past tense really. We can only hope anything designed before now looks good when it comes out over the next year.
This isn't even allowed to be sold in some countries anymore (Australia) because the platform doesn't meet new side impact safety requirements. Unless they're changing the platform, only a few markets like the US and Japan are getting it.
I love the current styling. What it needs is a new interior. The IS is meant to have the v6 and v8. Fine to have a hybrid option but keep the naturally aspirated v6.
3 месяца назад
The current IS looks soooooooooo much better than this refresh.
The lower render is same as top.. no change to hood or lights, it is a render.. but all they did was take the top image and shop the center grill. Both look amazing IMO
Just make it a V8 that can electronically change to v6 our v4 in tandem with a hybrid, based on t he made you select track sport city highway luxury handling range sound etc., best of all worlds. Hybrid Super MAX V8 and use this for trucks as well. And call it a day.
the Lexus IS is the only Lexus (and only luxury car on the entire market) I have a soft spot for. Refresh is alright I suppose, but I think I prefer the current one. A 2.5 hybrid should be a decent base-model engine, but I'd love a much more racier hybrid engine option too (or heck PHEV could be really interesting). I won't wish for a manual because I know it's a fool's errand, although I still lust over the earliest Altezza Sport Cross with a manual and 2.0 inline-6. Toyota would widely benefit from a Toyota version of the IS (rear-drive).
What are you talking about? That doesn't make sense whatsoever when the RC was developed for that purpose. That development got canceled in the end because of a dealer revolt 10 years ago when they saw prototype RC convertibles instead of a three row crossover. That's why RXL happened 3 years later and now TX.
@@nwezetx1 bro what are *you* talking about? There's no relation between the IS Convertible and the RC - they're not even in the same class. Are you okay?
First impression of the exterior refresh feels like they changed it just for the sake of changing it… visually connecting the headlights with that chrome piece seems unnecessary. The separate headlight housings look far more distinctive. We’ll have to wait and see what the official design looks like.
A 350h IS will probably be as fast at least as the V6 300. I have the 300h from 2017 and it's a great car, could do with more power, very quick off the line and good in-gear acceleration, amazing fuel economy and still fun to drive with a great ride. Lexus however made a huge mistake discontinuing the IS300h from the UK market as they sold quite well and you see lots of them around, even the dealerships were scratching their heads why they did it, made no sense, but I've heard it's coming back and this could be it! This new 2.5L multi-stage system is basically the LC500h's engine/transmission downgraded to a 4 cylinder, so should be pretty quick!
I hope that the Lexus is 500 will still be out by 2027 because that’s when my lease ends on my NX 450 h+ f sport ends and I really want the last v8 is if possible😩.
The IS you have in America is stunning, Lexus UK don’t import it for some strange reason. All we get are the SUVs. So I don’t have a car to change to in the future as I don’t want an SUV.
Dude, what are you talking about? The Lexus GS 300 H has been Around since 2012 with this configuration four-cylinder 2.5 L hybrid engine I personally own one and clocked 270,000 miles on it it’s brilliant
Thx for the info. The body changes can be questionable sometimes till it’s physically seen. To me the most scary part is taking a sports/sedan and downgrading the engine choices. They killed off the GS, the LC is out of the IS buyers price range. What is going to be left for a Lexus buyer who enjoys driving to buy? My 💔 if they ruin this car.
I’m really not sure what Toyota is doing with Lexus. All the exciting developments seem to be happening with Toyota, and Lexus just gets the leftovers. The powertrains are disappointing because nothing is built specifically for Lexus anymore. Additionally, I don’t understand why the Toyota Sequoia exists. It’s the worst package in the lineup, with an almost completely useless trunk and third row, and it costs upwards of $80,000. We don’t even have panoramic roofs available across the lineup, while every other competitor offers them as standard. It feels like Toyota gets better interiors, with Lexus adding more plastic, fake carbon fiber, or aluminum. In their interiors. Nothing about the brand says luxury to me anymore, except for the ill faded, slow, selling LS. That hasn’t had a powertrain update in almost a decade. I get the trend that everything is sporty but like it doesn’t feel special anymore. There used to be a lot of interior or ergonomic choices made and these days I’m like great. I have to wait seven years for this stupid seat heater to be placed in a less awkward, place. It’s all utility. Meanwhile the Germans are adding ambient lighting, massage seats, rear heated and ventilation seats. Even USB-C ports in places where people are actually gonna plug them in. And I’m gonna be the first to say at the ES is not a GS replacement. It’s slow. It’s the last vehicle that actually has a similarly luxury interior, but it has the same engine as a Camry. As a longtime fan, I find it disappointing that there’s nothing exciting about the vehicles anymore. The GX looks amazing, but it’s currently on hold in California due to software issues. It feels like they’re cheapening the brand, while Genesis is a decade ahead. They just stopped including CD players in 2022 models. Reliability is also starting to be questionable, and maintenance service visits are getting ridiculously expensive.
Car pundits and people talking about how sedans are doing poorly in general, and the IS is a mediocre seller to begin with because no one wants a small Lexus sedan anymore, therefore they aren't interested in updating the interior A huge REASON why I wouldn't buy this car and many others won't is because they ARE WAITING FOR AN INTERIOR REFRESH Who wants to spend 50 grand on a car with an interior out of 2013? And stop shoving the hybrid down our throats, just update the fucking interior, keep the V6 and there's no reason why this shouldn't be competitive in the segment
please share everything you can dig up about the next generation I guess with the V8. Everybody hates the 8 speed. If Lexus can address that with the next generation Im all in. Its hard to drop 68k when everyone says the transmission negates the engine.
Makes the most sense, but who knows tbh? America needs to wait and see, because JDM news reports are not going to highlight changes for North America. Mag X will only report on changes for JDM and not much about other markets. I called it on something being off, when Lexus didn't file new trademarks for a PHEV or IS400/450 over the last 2 years. Pretty much meant no major changes or recycling current badges with different engines or dropping them. IS500 might continue, but we don't know if the IS hybrid will be introduced in USA or if IS 350 becomes T24A-FTS engine.
@@nwezetx1 Feel like we won't see PHEV in the IS lineup as the next Gen might be full EV but really hope to see 300h/350 with T24a/500 in North America market
@@Xidd9964ever I'm always worried about these nip n tuck refreshes, because they often are designed to be sold for some years instead of 1 or 2 years. If this comes for 2026, we won't see a new IS until decade's end!
Yeah, well, i kinda expect the IS & ES will follow the Camry. Pretty much their program. I jus hope they give the Lexus cars way more power.. Time will tell....
So would they be replacing the IS 300 and the IS 350 with this new hybrid system and retaining the V8? Also they shouldn't waste the time with a 3rd refresh unless the interior (at minimum) gets USB-C ports for data and charging, the new interface software, and that new all digital gauge cluster that they were just able to shoehorn into the 2025 UX.
The current Lexus IS300 exterior is really good, unfortunately I know some people out there would much rather see the is300 redesign hopefully making it look worse. Haters comes in all form :((
The 2.5 turbo NEEDS more power, or lexus needs to consider using the 2.4 hybrid motor in their sedans. The NX and RX hybrid being quicker than the IS and ES is simply unacceptable.
